Federal authorities have sued to keep a Somerville tax preparer from preparing returns after he is released from federal prison, authorities say.File photo

SOMERVILLE — The U.S. government is trying to stop a Somerville tax preparer, who admitted to filing thousands of false tax forms, from ever preparing anyone's federal tax returns again.

Eric Majette, 53, admitted that he inflated itemized deductions for medical and dental expenses, gifts, and business expenses on as many as 1,700 tax returns, according to a federal lawsuit filed to prevent Majette from filing federal tax forms.

The IRS estimates it lost as much as $3 million from the erroneous returns filed between 2009 and 2012, according to the Department of Justice...

Majette owned and operated the "Berrisford Group," which had offices in Plainfield and Somerville, according to the Department of Justice.

Majette pleaded guilty earlier this year to corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the internal revenue laws and preparing a false tax return, the Justice Department said. He was sentenced to serve 30 months in federal prison, one year of supervised probation, and $123,440 in restitution, authorities said.

He is currently serving his sentence at the Federal Correction Institution in Fort Dix, according to online records.